Apparatus for splicing webs of cigarette paper or the like

ABSTRACT

The leading end of a fresh web of convoluted cigarette paper or analogous strip material of low tensile strength is accelerated prior to being spliced to a running web which is converted into wrappers of cigarettes or the like. The accelerating device for the fresh web derives motion from the running web and further serves to drive a programming drum which causes the generation of a series of signals to initiate the splicing operation as well as the ejection of those cigarettes whose wrappers embody portions of the splice. The delay with which the cigarettes whose wrappers embody portions of the splice are being ejected is proportional to the speed of travel of the running web so that the ejection of defective cigarettes takes place in a predetermined portion of their path.

United States Patent Ludszeweit et al.

APPARATUS FOR SPLlClNG WEBS OF CIGARETTE PAPER OR THE LIKE Inventors:Dieter Ludszeweit, Hamburg,

Germany; Joachim Buchegger, Richmond, Va.

Hauni Werke Korber & Co. KG, Hamburg, Germany Filed: Dec. 18, 1972 Appl.No.: 316,295

Assignee:

Foreign Application Priority Data Dec. 17, 1971 Germany 2162707 U.S. Cl131/21 R; 242/58.4; 156/504 Int. Cl. B65h 19/10; A24c 5/34 Field ofSearch 242/58.l, 58.2, 58.3, 58.4;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Kishioka 242/ 58.2

3,516,617 6/1970 Haner et al. 242/58.2

3,749,634 7/1973 Krause 156/505 3,753,834 8/1973 King 242/58.4 X

Primary Examiner-John W. Huckert Assistant Examiner-John M. .lillionsAttorney, Agent, or FirmMichael S. Striker [5 7] ABSTRACT The leadingend of a fresh web of convoluted cigarette paper or analogous stripmaterial of low tensile strength is accelerated prior to being splicedto a running web which is converted into wrappers of cigarettes or thelike. The accelerating device for the fresh web derives motion from therunning web and further serves to drive a programming drum which causesthe generation of a series of signals to initiate the splicing operationas well as the ejection of those cigarettes whose wrappers embodyportions of the splice. The delay with which the cigarettes whosewrappers embody portions of the splice are being ejected is proportionalto the speed of travel of the running web so that the ejection ofdefective cigarettes takes place in a predetermined portion of theirpath.

11 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures SHEET PATENTEU JUL29 I975 APPARATUS FORSPLICING WEBS F CIGARETTE PAPER OR THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to apparatus for forming splices betweenrunning and fresh webs, especially between webs consisting of cigarettepaper or analogous strip-shaped material of relatively low tensilestrength which are utilized for the manufacture of plain or filtercigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, filter rod sections, or similarrod-shaped products in machines wherein the running web is convertedinto wrappers surrounding rod-like fillers of tobacco and/or filtermaterial. More particularly, the invention relates to improvements inapparatus for forming splices between a running web and a fresh webwhich has been accelerated prior to being connected to the running web.

It is already known to utilize in a cigarette or filter rod makingmachine a splicing apparatus which can be operated to attach the leadingportion of a fresh web to a running web while the running web is beingpaid out by an expiring roll. It is also known to accelerate the freshweb prior to its attachment to the running web in order to reduce thelikelihood of breakage of the running and/or fresh web due to relativelylarge inertia of the roll of fresh web. Such inertia must be overcome bythe running web if the fresh web is being attached thereto while therelatively large and heavy roll of fresh web is at a standstill. It isfurther known to employ in such machines an ejecting device which isintended to automatically segregate those cigarettes or filter rodsections whose wrappers contain portions of the splice between therunning and fresh webs. Such articles are considered defective due totheir appearance as well as because they cannot be readily introducedinto packs, trays or other receptacles owing to the fact that portionsof united webs normally extend beyond the splice and occupy additionalroom. Also, the articles whose wrappers embody portions of splices arelikely to adhere to adjacent articles because many types of splices arebeing made by resorting to uniting bands with adhesive layers at bothsides. The webs which are used in such machines consist of paper, cork,reconstituted tobacco and/or similar materials and exhibit a relativelylow tensile strength so that the splicing operation must be carried outwith great care in order to avoid breakage of the running and/or freshweb with attendant losses in output. As a rule, the tearing of a webnecessitates prolonged stoppage of the machine andcan cause losses ofthousands of articles since a modern highspeed machine is capable ofturning out up to and in excess of 70 articles per second.

Not too many years ago, the splicing of an expiring web to a fresh webin a cigarette making or like machine necessitated complete stoppage ofthe machine in order to allow for manual connection of the expiring andfresh webs to each other. This practice is being discontinued due toaforementioned substantial losses which arise in response'to eachstoppage of a highspeed machine. The losses are compounded due to thefact that the articles which are being produced during deceleration fromas well as during renewed acceleration to normal operating speed arelikely to be defective for a number of reasons, such as drying ofadhesive paste on the web in the rod forming station, drying of tobaccowhich forms the filler of a cigarette rod, and/or many other factors.

Recent types of splicing apparatus for cigarette paper webs or the likeare designed to allow for the making of splices (either by rolling or byresorting to adhesivecoated uniting bands) while the machine operates ata normal speed or at a reduced speed. To this end, it is necessary toaccelerate the fresh web prior to splicing so as to reduce thelikelihood of tearing. The acceleration of fresh webs involves severalproblems, especially as concerns the selection of speed of the fresh webduring splicing, the trimming of the splice (i.e., the removal of thoseportions of the running and fresh webs which extend beyond the splice)and the actual making of splices between two rapidly moving webs. Theprevention of breakage or tearing is the all-controlling factor in suchtypes of splicing apparatus which are normally equipped with suitabletime delay means to trigger the splicing operation in response toacceleration of the fresh web to a predetermined optimum speed. Sincethe speed of the accelerated fresh web must be proportional to the speedof the running web, the time delay means must be adjusted for splicingunder most adverse circumstances, for example, during acceleration ofthe machine from zero speed. This holds true for nearly all types ofpresently known splicing apparatus. also for those wherein the roll offresh web is being accelerated by means of an auxiliary strip which isattached to the leader of the fresh web and must advance beyond thesplicing station prior to start of the splicing operation or wherein theroll of fresh web is accelerated by means of travelling rubber bandswhich engage the periphery of the roll. When the splice is being formedwhile the machine operates at full speed, a substantial length of thefresh web is wasted because the timing of the signal which is furnishedby the time delay means to initiate a splicing operation is selectedwith a view to insure satisfactory splicing while the running webadvances at the lowest of a wide range of speeds.

Additional problems arise in connection with proper timing of ejectionof those articles whose wrappers embody portions of the splices. Inorder to invariably insure segregation of all defective articles fromsatisfactory articles, itis customary to eject not only those articleswhose wrappers contain portions of a splice but also all neighboringarticles with the result that each splicing operation entailssubstantial losses in valuable material even if the fresh web is inmotion during attachment to the running web. Proper synchronization ofthe splicing operation with the ejecting operation cannot be achievedwith presently known splicing apparatus because the length of intervalswhich elapse while one or more articles whose wrappers contain thesplice advance from the splicing to the ejecting station of a cigaretterod making or like machine varies within a wide range due toaforementioned factors, particularly the fixed length of the delaybetween the start of acceleration of a fresh web and the start of thesplicing step.

In many presently known cigarette rod making or like machines, theuniting bands which are used to connect fresh webs to running webs areprovided with characteristic indications in the form of holes,colorations, magnetizable or magnetic inserts or others to facilitatedetection of splices in the wrappers of articles for the purpose ofsegregating the respective articles. The articles are monitored by adetector which produces a signal in response to detection of a splice,and such signal is transmitted with a given delay to a pneumatic ormechanical ejecting device which segregates the defective article orarticles from satisfactory articles. In order to insure segregation ofdefective articles when the machine is running at a high speed (i.e.,when the interval of time which elapses while a splice travels from thedetector to the ejecting device is very short), the delay intransmission of signals to the ejecting device is as short as necessaryfor operation at the maximum speed. On the other hand, the ejectingdevice must remain in operation long enough to insure the ejection ofdefective articles when the machine is operated at the lowest speed.Therefore, the ejecting device invariably segregates an extremely largenumber of satisfactory articles. Moreover, the detector is likely tomiss a splice so that the ejecting device is not actuated at all.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide anovel and improved apparatus for automatically splicing the leading endof a fresh web to a running web in a machine wherein the running web isbeing converted into wrappers of discrete articles, such as cigarettesor filter rod sections, which can perform a splicing operation withoutany appreciable risk of tearing the running and/or fresh web and withminimal losses in the material of the webs.

Another object of the invention is to provide a splicing apparatus whichis operated in such a way that it allows for ready determination ofthose articles whose wrappers embody the splice so that the segregationof such defective articles from the immediately preceding andimmediately following satisfactory articles can be effected with a highdegree of reproducibility and at an accurately selected location toallow for convenient accumulation of segregated articles.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel splicingapparatus which can be used with advantage in cigarette or filter rodmaking machines and is capable of invariably pinpointing those articleswhose wrappers and/or other portions are defective due to the fact thatthey embody portions of splices.

An additional object of the invention is to provide the splicingapparatus with novel and improved means for manipulating the running andfresh webs prior to, during and following a splicing operation.

Still another object of the invention is to provide the splicingapparatus with novel and improved means for monitoring or tracking theprogress of splices in a cigarette rod making, filter rod making oranalogous machine.

An additional object of the invention is to provide novel and improvedmeans for synchronizing the operation of article ejecting and websplicing means in a cigarette rod making or like machine.

One feature of the invention resides in the provision of an apparatusfor forming splices between fresh webs which are stored in the form offirst rolls and running webs which are being withdrawn from expiringrolls in a machine wherein successive webs are converted into wrappersof rodshaped articles, such as cigarettes or filter rod sections. Theapparatus comprises the means for transporting a running web lengthwisealong a predetermined path extending toward, through and beyond spacedapart first and second stations, means for converting the running webinto wrappers of successive rodshaped articles not later than at thesecond station, means for generating a series of signals at timelyspaced intervals in synchronism with the speed of transport of therunning web along the predetermined path so that the generation of afirst signal coincides with the movement of a portion of the running webthrough the first station and the generation of a second signalcoincides with the transport of at least one rod-shaped article whosewrapper embodies such portion of the running web through the secondstation, means for accelerating the leading end of a fresh web prior togeneration of the first signal. means for uniting a portion of theaccelerated leading end of the fresh web with the aforementioned portionof the running web in response to the first signal so that such portionsof the running and fresh webs are united at the first station and travelalong the predetermined path at the speed of the running web whereby thefresh web is being withdrawn from the respective first roll, and meansfor expelling the article or articles embodying the united portions ofthe running and fresh webs from the predetermined path in response tothe second signal signal so that the expulsion of such article orarticles invariably takes place at the second station.

Since the first and second signals are generated in synchronism with thespeed of the running web, the generation of the second signal invariablycoincides with arrival at the second station of that article or thosearticles whose wrappers embody the united portions of the running andfresh webs. This insures that only that article or only those articleswhich are in fact defective can be ejected from the path with attendantincrease in the output of the machine.

The apparatus preferably further comprises means for severing therunning web between the aforementioned portion of such web and theexpiring roll in response to one of the first and second signals,preferably in response to the first signal or immediately or shortlyfollowing the generation of first signal.

Still further, the apparatus may comprise means for monitoring theexpiring roll, for generating a third signal in response to depletion ofthe expiring roll to a predetermined minimum diameter, and forinitiating the accelerating step in response to the third signal.

The uniting means may comprise means for connecting the aforementionedportions of the running and fresh webs to opposite adhesive-coated sidesofa uniting band.

The accelerating means may comprise means for increasing the speed ofthe leading end of the fresh web from zero speed to an elevated speedwhich is slightly less than the speed of transport of the running webalong the predetermined path, and the apparatus then preferably furthercomprises step of transporting the thus accelerated leading end of thefresh web along a second path which is adjacent to the first station sothat the uniting step can be carried out by deflecting theaforementioned portion of the accelerated fresh web into the first pathat the first station, or vice versa.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theimproved splicing apparatus itself, however, both as to its constructionand its mode of operation, together with additional features andadvantages thereof, will be best understood upon perusal of thefollowing detailed description of certain specific embodiments withreference to the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a schematic elevational viewof a cigarette rod making machine which embodies the improved splicingapparatus;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevational view of the splicing apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view as seen in the direction of arrows from theline IIIIII of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a diagram of the control circuit for the splicing apparatusand for the ejecting means of the cigarette rod making machine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to FIG. 1,there is shown a cigarette rod making machine of the type known asGARANT produced by I-Iauni-Werke of I-Iamburg-Bergedorf, WesternGermany. The machine comprises a distributor 1 which showers tobaccoshreds onto the upper stretch of an endless conveyor belt 3. The upperstretch of the belt 3 constitutes the bottom wall of an elongatedtobacco stream forming channel 2 wherein the growing tobacco streamadvances in a direction to the right, as viewed in FIG. 1, and isintroduced into the circumferential groove of a suction wheel 4 which isdriven to rotate in a counterclockwise direction. The circumferentialgroove of the suction wheel 4 surrounds a stationary suction chamber,and the bottom wall of the circumferential groove is perforated so thatthe tobacco stream is attracted thereto during transport with thesuction wheel 4 past a trimming station 7 where a customary equalizingdevice 6 removes the surplus of tobacco so that the stream is convertedinto a filler rod which is thereupon transferred onto the upper stretchof a garniture belt 14 by means of a foraminous conveyor belt 9 having alower stretch which travels below a stationary suction chamber 9a. Thereference character 8 denotes a stripping device in the form of a tonguewhich cooperates with the foraminous belt 9 to transfer the tobaccofiller from the circumferential groove of the suction wheel 4 onto theupper stretch of the belt 14.

The splicing station of the cigarette rod making machine is shown in thelower left-hand portion of FIG. 1. This splicing station accommodates anexpiring roll 12 which pays out a running web 1 1 consisting ofcigarette paper and being caused to travel through a splicing apparatus16 and thereupon through an imprinting mechanism 13 before it reachesand is advanced by the upper stretch of the garniture belt 14. Prior tocomplete exhaustion of the roll 12, the running web 11 is spliced to theleading portion of a fresh web 18 which is stored at the splicingstation in the form of a roll 17. A detector 19, here shown as aphotosensitive scanning device, forms part of the splicing apparatus 16and is located at the splicing station to monitor the diameter ofrunning web 11 on the expiring roll 12.

Successive increments of the tiller rod which leaves the circumferentialgroove of the suction wheel 4 are transferred onto successive incrementsof the running cigarette paper web 11 on the upper stretch of the belt14. This belt forms part of a wrapping mechanism which converts therunning web 11 and the filler rod into a continuous wrapped cigaretterod 24. The wrapping mechanism further comprises a device 21 whichdrapes the web 11 around the filler rod during travel with the upperstretch of the belt 14. The device 21 is followed by a conventionalpaster 22 which coats one marginal portion of the partially drapedrunning web 11 with a film of adhesive before the thus coated marginalportion is caused to overlap the other marginal portion so as to formtherewith a seam which is heated by a sealer 23. The cigarette rod 24then advances to a conventional cutoff 26 which subdivides it into asingle file of plain cigarettes 27 of unit length. Successive cigarettes27 are accelerated by a rotary cam 28 which propels them into successiveflutes of a rotary drumshaped transfer conveyor 29. The path for plaincigarettes 27 between the cutoff 26 and the accelerating cam 28 isdefined in part by a trough 31. The upper side of the trough 31 is openand the cigarettes 27 which move in this trough lengthwise advance pasta nozzle 32 which forms part of an ejecting device for defective orpresumably defective plain cigarettes. The nozzle 32 can be connected toa source of compressed air or another suitable gaseous fluid which canbe utilized to expel selected cigarettes 27 from the path between thecutoff 26 and the cam 28. The ejected cigarettes are intercepted by asuitable receptacle, not shown. The station at which the nozzle 32 ofthe ejecting device is located is shown at S2.

The transfer conveyor 29 forms one or two rows of plain cigarettes 27which travel sideways and can be introduced into storage, into aconventional tray filling device or directly into a filter cigarettemaking machine, not shown.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the splicing apparatus 16 of the cigarettemaking machine of FIG. 1 further comprises an accelerating device 33 forthe fresh web 18, a splicing or uniting device 34 which connects thetrailing end of the running web 11 to the leading end of the acceleratedfresh web 18, and a severing device 36 which can sever the running web11 behind the splice so that the preceding part of the web 11 isseparated from the portion which remains convoluted on the core of theexpiring roll 12. That portion of the running web 11 which is about toenter the station S1 accommodating the splicing or uniting device 34 istrained about a guide roller 37 and thereupon advances along a straightportion of its path to be deflected by a further guide roller 38 priorto entering the nip of two advancing rolls 39 which introduce the web 11into that portion of the path which extends between the splicingapparatus 16 and the imprinting mechanism 13. The advancing rolls 39actually draw the running web 11 from the expiring roll 12.

The leading portion of the fresh web 18 is trained around a guide roller41 and thereupon around a splicing roller 42 which forms part of theuniting device 34 at the station S1. Still further, the leading portionof the fresh web 18 is introduced into a radial slot 44 of a wheel 43forming part of the accelerating device 33. The positions of the guiderollers 37, 38 for the running web 11 on the one hand and the splicingroller 42 and accelerating wheel 43 for the fresh web 18 on the otherhand are selected in such a way that the webs 11 and 18 are separatedfrom each other by a gap 144. This gap 144 begins at the splicingstation S1 and its width is reduced to zero when the leading portion ofthe fresh web 18 is to be connected to the trailing portion of therunning web 11. The radial slot 44 of the accelerating wheel 43accommodates a clamping device 47 including a lever 47a, a clampingplate 47b, and a spring 476.

The clamping device 47 serves to detachably but firmly secure theforemost part of the leading portion of the fresh web 18 to theaccelerating wheel 43. As shown in the lower righthand portion of FIG.2, the plate 47b is provided at the radially outermost end of the lever47 a and the latter is biased by the spring 47c. That portion of thefresh web 18 which is placed between the plate 47b and the adjacentsurface flanking the slot 44 is pressed against the accelerating wheel43 and is compelled to rotate therewith when the wheel 43 is set inmotion. The wheel 43 is mounted on a shaft 49 which is secured to aframe member or wall 48 of the cigarette rod making machine. The drivemeans 51 for rotating the accelerating wheel 43 is installed between theguide roller 38 and the advancing rolls 39 and comprises an input memberhere shown as a roller 52 the periphery of which is coated with a layerof elastomeric material (such as rubber). The roller 52 is mounted on ashaft 53 which in turn is mounted on the frame member 48. The roller 52can rotate on the shaft 53 together with a pulley 54 for an endless belt56. The belt 56 is further trained over a pulley 57 which is secured toand drives the accelerating wheel 43 in response to rotation of theroller 52. The drive means 51 for the accelerating wheel 43 furthercomprises a device which can cause the running web 11 to rotate theroller 52. This device comprises an electromagnet 61 having areciprocable armature 59 connected with a roller 58 which can be movedbetween the solid-line and phantom-line positions of FIG. 2, i.e.,transversely of the path of the running web 11. When the electromagnet61 is energized, it attracts the armature 59 whereby the roller 58 movesfrom the solid-line to the phantom-line position to thereby cause arequisite length of the rapidly moving running web 11 to be trainedaround the elastic peripheral portion of the roller 52 so that theroller 52 is set in rotary motion (in a clockwise direction, as viewedin FIG. 2) and drives the accelerating wheel 43 in a clockwise directionthrough the intermediary of pulleys 54, 57 and endless belt 56.

The uniting or splicing device 34 of the splicing apparatus 16 comprisesa shiftable platform 63 which can support a uniting band 62. Thisuniting band is coated with adhesive at both sides and can be placedinto the gap 144 between the webs 11 and 18 prior to start of a splicingoperation. The platform 63 for uniting bands 62 is mounted on areciprocable carriage 64 which is slidable in a stationary base 66 andhas a T-shaped lower end portion received in a complementary T- shapedgroove 67 of the base 66. A handgrip member or knob 68 is secured to thecarriage 64 to facilitate the movement of platform 63 (with the carriage64) between the operative position shown in FIG. 3 and in an inoperativeposition (located to the left of the position shown in FIG. 3) in whichlatter position the platform 63 is accessible for attachment of a freshuniting band 62.

The detent means for releasably locking the platform 63 and carriage 64in the operative positions shown in FIG. 3 comprises an arm 69 which isattached to the carriage 64 and has a notch 69a for a reception of atooth 71a provided on a locking lever 71 pivotally secured to the framemember 48. When the locking lever 71 is disengaged from the detent arm69, the carriage 64 can be automatically retracted to its inoperativeposition by a helical spring 73 one end of which is attached to adownwardly extending lug 76 secured to the arm 69. The other end of thespring 73 is attached to a similar lug 74 secured to the base 66. Asshown, the spring 73 extends through an opening provided in a bracket 77which carries the base 66 and is mounted on the frame member 48. Thebase 66 is provided with a stop 72 against which the carriage 64 abutswhen the platform 63 assumes its inoperative position in which it isready to be connected with a fresh adhesive-coated uniting band 62.-

The splicing device 34 comprises the aforementioned splicing roller 42(which further serves as a guide means for the fresh web 18) and asimilar splicing roller 78 which is located opposite the splicing roller42. When the platform 63 assumes the operative position of FIG. 3, theuniting band 62 which is attached to this platform is located in thatportion of the gap 144 which extends between the splicing rollers 78 and42 of the splicing device 34. The upper splicing roller 78 is rotatableabout the axis of a shaft 79 mounted in the frame member 48. Thesplicing roller 42 is mounted on a shaft 81 which is supported by apivotable holder 82. The fulcrum 83 for the holder 82 is secured to theframe member 48. The splicing operation takes place when the splicingroller 42 is lifted so as to move toward the splicing roller 78 and tothereby reduce the width of the corresponding portion of the gap 144 tozero. This results in pressing of the fresh web 18 against theadhesive-coated underside of the uniting band 62 on the platform 63while the adhesive-coated upper side of the uniting band 62 adheres tothe expiring web 11 whereby the band 62 is automatically separated fromthe platform 63 and advances with the webs 11 and 18 at'the speed of theweb 11.

The holder 82 for the shaft 81 of the lower splicing roller 42 has acutout or recess 84 which is large enough to prevent the holder 82 frominterfering with the detent arm 69 and locking lever 71 when the roller42 is caused to move upwardly toward the uniting band 62 on the platform63. The'holder 82 is further provided with a plate-like support 86 whichis located below the cutout 84 and supports a small roll 87. The purposeof the roll 87 is to engage and pivot the locking lever 71 in responseto upward movement of the lower splicingrolle'r 42 whereby the roll 87expels the tooth 71a of the lever 71 from the notch 69a of the detentarm 69 so that the spring 73 is free to contract and to move thecarriage 64 into abutment with the stop 72. The holder 82 furthercarries a second support 88 for a second small roll 89 which can actuatea movable severing element or knife 111 pivotally mounted on a pin 113secured to a plate 114 of the frame member 48 at a level above thesupport 88. The means for pivoting the holder 82 about the axis of thefulcrum 83 comprises an electromagnet 91 which is pivotally secured to abracket 92 of the frame member 48, as at 193, and has a reciprocablearmature 93'articulately connected to the holder 82 at a level below thecutout 84 and to the left of the support 86, as viewed in FIG. 2.

The lower splicing roller 42 is an idler roller, i.e., it is not drivento rotate about the axis of the shaft 81. In contrast thereto, the uppersplicing'roller 78 is rotatable by a drive which'derives motion from thewheel 43 of the accelerating device 33. Thus, the drive for the uppersplicing roller 78 derives motion from the drive means 51 for theaccelerating wheel 43. The shaft 49 for the wheel 43 carries a furtherpulley 94, and a pulley 99 is mounted on a shaft 97 secured to the framemember 48 adjacent to the shaft 79 for the splicing roller 78. Anendless belt 96 is trained around the pulleys 94 and 98. The pulley 98is rigid with a gear 99 which meshes with a gear 101 secured to thesplicing roller 78. The belt 96 is preferably provided with teeth matingwith teeth on the pulleys 94 and 98 so that the gear 99 is driven inexact synchronism with the accelerating wheel 43. The transmission ratioof the drive for the upper splicing roller 78 is selected in such a waythat the peripheral speed of this roller equals the speed of lengthwisemovement of the running web 11. On the other hand, the peripheral speedof the accelerating wheel 43 (and hence of the fresh web 18) ispreferably a little less than the speed of the running web 11.

The gear 99 on the shaft 97 further meshes with a gear 102 which formspart of a step-down transmission 103. The output shaft 104 of thetransmission 103 carries a regulating device 106 here shown as includinga rotary programming drum 107 having a series of circumferentiallyspaced protuberances or lobes 108a,

108b, 108C. As shown in FIG. 4, the programming drum 107 is composed ofthree discrete disks 107a, 107b, l07c which respectively carry the lobes108a, 108b, 1080. The lobes 108a, 108b, 108(- respectively serve astrips or actuating means for three discrete signal generating elementshere shown as electric switches 109a, 109b, 1090. The parts 107a-107c,108a-l08c and l09a-109c together constitute a signal generating deviceor unit a portion (parts l07a-107c and 108a-108c) of which can receivemotion from the advancing rolls 39 by way of the running web 11 tothereby cause the elements 109a-109c to generate signals in apredetermined sequence and at intervals depending from the speed of theweb 11. The purpose of the switches l09a109c is to actuate certaindevices of the splicing apparatus 16 in a predetermined sequence. Thedisks 107a, 107b, l07c are adjustable relative'to each other in thecircumferential direction of the output shaft 104.

The aforementioned knife 11 1 of the severing device 36 is mountedadjacent to the guide roller 37 for the running web 111. This is bestshown in FIG. 2. The knife 111 is spaced apart from a stationary secondknife 112 which is installed between the guide roller 38 for the runningweb 11 and the accelerating wheel 43 for the fresh web 18. The cuttingedge 11 1a of the movable knife 111 is serrated as best shown in FIG. 3.The idle or retracted position of the movable knife 111 is determined bya helical spring 116 which is attached to the plate 114 and urges theknife 111 against a suitable stop, not shown. The shorter arm of theknife 111 is located at a level above the aforementioned roll 89 whichcan pivot the knife 111 so that the serrated portion 111a then seversthe expiring web 11 behind the plat form 63.

The stationary knife 112 has a cutting edge 112a which is located almostdirectly below the lowermost point of the guide roller 38 for therunning web 11. The knife 112 is secured to a vertically adjustablesupport 117 on the frame member 48.

FIG. 4 illustrates the electric control circuit for the splicingapparatus 16. This control circuit further regulates the operation ofthe ejecting device including the nozzle 32 shown in the upper left-endportion of FIG. 1. The control circuit comprises a first control unit118 which serves to activate the drive means 51 for the wheel 43 of theaccelerating device 33 for the fresh web 18. When the control unit 118starts the drive means 51, the wheel 43 begins to rotate in a clockwisedirection, as viewed in FIG. 2, so that the fresh web 18 is acceleratedto a speed which is preferably slightly less than the speed of therunning web 11. Also. when the control unit 118 starts the drive means51, the latter starts the transmission 103 which in turn rotates theoutput shaft 104 so that the disks 107a-l07c of the programming drum 107are set in rotary motion and their lobes 108a-108c respectively actuatethe electric signal generating switches l09a-109c at predeterminedintervals.

The control circuit further comprises a second control unit 119 whichcan activate the splicing or uniting device 34of the splicing apparatus16. This results in pivoting of the holder 82 so that the splicingrollers 42, 78 cooperate to attach the webs 11 and 18 to opposite sidesof the uniting band 62 on the platform 63. At the same time, or shortlythereafter, the control unit 119 causes the severing device 36 includingthe movable knife 111 to sever the running web 11 behind the freshlyformed splice.

The control circuit of FIG. 4 further comprises a third control unit 121which controls the ejecting device including the nozzle 32 so as toexpel from the trough 31 those plain cigarettes or that plain cigarette27 which includes(s) portions of the splice between the webs 11 and 18.The control circuit stil further comprises a fourth control unit orresetting unit 122 which serves to arrest the programming drum 107 inits initial or starting position upon completion of a splicingoperation. It will be noted that, for the sake of clarity, the disks107a, 107b, 1070 of the programming drum 107 are shown in FIG. 4 oneadjacent to the other rather than in axial alignment.

The control unit 118 includes the aforementioned photoelectric detector19 which monitors the supply of running web 11 on the expiring roll 12.The signals from the photoelectric detector 19 are transmitted to onestationary contact of a switch 123a forming part of a relay 123. Thecontrol unit 118 further comprises an amplifier 124 which amplifiers thesignals furnished by the detector 19 and transmits the amplified signalsto the electromagnet 61 for the roll 58 of the drive means 51.

The second control unit 119 is connected with the electric switch 109aand includes an amplifier 126 which amplifies signals furnished to theelectromagnet 91. The latter serves to pivot the holder 82 for themovable splicing roller 42. The control unit 119 further comprises alogic circuit 127 of the type known as flipflop with a manually operableswitch 128. One input of the flip-flop 127 is connected with the switch128. The output of the flip-flop 127 is connected with the relay 123which is normally deenergized. The switch 128 is closed by hand for ashort period of time when the operator wishes to erase the output signalfrom the flipflop 127 to the relay 123. The relay then disconnects theoutput of the photoelectric detector 19 from the amplifier 124.

The control unit 121 is connected with the switch 109!) and comprises anamplifier 129 and an electromagnetic valve 131 which can connect asuitable source of compressed gas with the nozzle 32 of the ejectingdevice at the station S2 shown in FIG. 1.

The control unit 122 is connected with the switch 109a. The signal whichis produced in response to closing of the switch 109a by the lobe 108ais transmitted by control unit 122 to the input of the amplifier 124.

The operation is as follows:

It is assumed that the cigarette rod making machine of FIG. 1 operatesnormally, i.e., that the advancing rolls 39 draw the running web 11 fromthe expiring roll 12 and that the pivotable holder 82 of the splicingunit 34 dwells in the inoperative position of FIG. 2.-The supply ofrunning web 11 on the expiring roll 12 is nearly exhausted so that thestart of a splicing operation is imminent. The foremost end of theleading portion of the fresh web 18 has been trained over the guideroller 41 and splicing roller 42 and extends into the slot 44 so that itis clamped by the device 47 to the accelerating wheel 43. Also, auniting band 62 has been attached to the platform 63 which dwells in theoperative position of FIGS. 2 and 3 so that the unattached portion ofthe uniting band 62 (both sides of which are coated with adhesive)extends into that portion of the gap 144 which is located between thesplicing rollers 42 and 78, i.e., the uniting band 62 is located betweenbut is spaced apart from the webs 11 and 18. It will be noted that theleading portion of the fresh web 18 is located in a path which isadjacent to the station S1 and is substantially parallel to the nearestportion of the path for the running web 11.

When the supply of running web 11 on the expiring roll 12 is exhaustedto such an extent that the beam of light issuing from the light sourceof the detector 19 can impinge on the photosensitive element of thisdetector, the photosensitive element transmits a signal by way of theclosed switch 123a of the relay 123 of FIG. 4 (this relay is assumed tobe deenergized) and to the amplifier 124. The latter amplifies thesignal to energize the electromagnet 61 which attracts its armature 59so that the roller 58 moves from the solid-line position to thephantom-line position of FIG. 2 and drapes a requisite length of therunning web 11 around the roller 52 of the drive means 51 for theaccelerating wheel 43, splicing roller 78 and gear 102 of thetransmission 103. The roller 52 begins to rotate in a clockwisedirection, as viewed in FIG. 2, and rotates the accelerating wheel 43 byway of the pulleys 54, 57 and endless belt 56. The accelerating wheel 43drives the shaft 97 which in turn drives the splicing roller 78 and theprogramming drum 107. The wheel 43 accelerates the fresh web 18 fromzero speed to a speed which is slightly less than the speed of therunning web 1 1. Thus, the leading portion of the fresh web 18 is beingconvoluted onto the wheel 43 so that the web 18 rotates the fresh roll17 of FIG. 1 in a counterclockwise direction. The length of that portionof the running web 11 which engages the peripheral surface of the roller52 determines the rate of acceleration of the fresh web 18 in responseto energization of the electromagnet 61 upon transmission of a signalfrom the detector 19 to the amplifier 124. Thus, a simple adjustment ofthe extent of movement of the roller 58 from the solidline position ofFIG. 2 will enable the operator to select such acceleration of the freshweb 18 which is not likely to result in tearing of this web,especially'during the initial stage of acceleration when the web 18 mustovercome the inertia of the relatively large fresh roll 17.

The rotating programming cam 107 causes the lobe 108a on the disk 107ato effect a closing of the switch 109a which activates the control unit122 so that the latter maintains the electromagnet 61 in energizedcondition irrespective of the condition of the relay 123, i.e., therelay 123 can open its switch 123a to disconnect the detector 19 fromthe amplifier 124 but the roller 58 continues to remain in thephantom-line position of F IG. 2 because the holding circuit of theelectromagnet 61 is completed by the switch 109a.

The fresh web 18 is rapidly accelerated to the desired speed which ispreferably somewhat less than the speed of the running web 11. Theinterval which is required for such acceleration of the fresh web 18 isconsidered in the selection of initial angular position of the lobe 108(on the disk 1076 of FIG. 4. Thus, the lobe 108C closes the switch 109Cfor the control unit 119 with a delay which is sufficient to insuresatisfactory acceleration of the fresh web 18 whereby the amplifier 126receives a signal which is amplified and energizes the electromagnet 91.The latter expels its armature 93 so that the holder 82 is pivoted in aclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 2, whereby the splicing roller 42rises and presses the adjacent portion of the running web 18 against theunderside of the uniting band 62 on the platform 63. At the same time,the splicing roller 42 presses the upper side of the uniting band 62against the underside of the adjacent portion of the running web 11 tothus connect the web 18 to the web 11 whereby the web 18 is acceleratedto the exact speed of the web 11 and the uniting band 62 isautomatically detached from the platform 63.

The electromagnet 91 further causes the roll 89 on the support 88 of theholder 82 to pivot the movable knife 111 in a counterclockwisedirection, as viewed in FIG. 3, so that the serrated portion 111a of theknife 111 severs the running web 11 behind the splice (i.e., behind theuniting band 62) so that the remainder of the practically expired roll12 is disconnected from the preceding portion of the running web 11 aswell as from the running fresh web 18.

Still further, the electromagnet 91 causes theroll 87 on the support 86of the holder 82 to pivot the locking lever 71 so that the tooth 71a isexpelled from the notch 69a and the spring 72 is free to contract so asto move the platform 63 to the exposed position in which the carriage 64abuts against the stop 72. The operator then attaches a fresh unitingband 62 to the platform 63 prior to manually returning the carriage 64to the operative position by way of the knob 68.

When the switch 1096 is closed by the lobe 1080, a signal is transmittedto the right-hand input of the flipflop 127 whereby the output of theflip-flop 127 transmits a signal to the relay 123 which is energized andopens its switch 123a to disconnect the detector 19 from the amplifier124. The electromagnet 61 remains energized because the amplifier 124receives a signal by way of the closed switch 109a.

As the splice between the webs l1 and 18 advances toward the deflectingroller 38 of FIG. 2, the leading portion of the web 18 (namely, thatportion which extends between the splice and the still rotatingaccelerating wheel 43) travels at a speed which is less than the speedof the portion of web 18 behind the splice. Such leading portion issevered by the edge 112a of the stationary knife 112 after the spliceadvances beyond the roll 38.

By properly selecting the initial angular position of I the lobe 1086 onthe disk 1070, the operator of the splicing apparatus insures that theinput member or roller 52 is driven without any slippage (by the runningweb 11) during a splicing operation and by the fresh running web 18 uponcompletion of the splicing operation. Thus, once the splicing operationis completed, the programming drum 107 rotates in exact synchronism withthe advancing rolls 39 for the web 18. Consequently, the angulardisplacement of the lobe 108b upon completion of the splicing operationis exactly proportional to the distance which the splice between thewebs 11 and 18 covers during travel through the cigarette rod makingmachine of FIG; 1. By properly selecting the initial angular position ofthe lobe 108b relative to the switch 109b and lobe 1086, the operatorcan insure that the electromagnetic valve 131 is opened in response to asignal from the amplifier 129 at the 3exact moment when the plaincigarette or cigarettes 27 whose wrappers embody portions of the splicetravel in the trough 31 so that such cigarette or cigarettes areexpelled by the blast of compressed gas issuing from the nozzle 32. Theamplifier 129 receives a signal in response to closing of the switchl09b by the lobe 108b of the disk 107b.

As the drive means 51 continues to rotate the programming drum 107, thelobe 108a of the disk 107a completes a little less than one revolutionand reaches and opens the switch 1090 so that the electromagnet 61becomes deenergized and allows a suitable spring (not shown) to returnthe roller 58 to the solid-line position of FIG. 2. This results indisengagement of the running web 18 from the roller 52 so that the drivemeans 51 is arrested. Thus, the accelerating wheel 43 comes to astandstill to thus arrest the programming drum 107 and the splicingroller 78. Eventual minor angular displacement of the programming drum107 due to inertia of moving parts of the drive means 51 is taken intoconsideration by proper selection of the length of the lobe 108a (asconsidered in the circumferential direction of the disk 107a) so thatthe switch 109a remains open when the programming drum comes to astandstill. If desired, the opening of switch 109a may result inactuation of a brake 200 (indicated in FIG. 2 by phantom lines) whicharrests the roller 52 in immediate response to opening of the switch109a so that the inertial of drive means 51 cannot bring aboutsubstantial changes in angular position of the programming drum 107subsequent to opening of the switch 109a. The splicing apparatus 16 isthen ready for the next operation which is initiated as soon as thesupply of running web 18 on the expiring roll 17 has been depleted to apredetermined minimum value at which the detector 19 furnishes a signalwhich results in energization of the electromagnet 61. FIG. 1 shows thatthe rolls 12 and 17 are mounted on two arms of a supporting lever 201.When the remnant of the expired roll 12 is removed, the roll 17 can beshifted to the position previously occupied-by the roll 12 so that thedetector 19 can monitor the supply of running web 18 on the thustransferred expiring roll 17. The operator then places onto thesupporting lever 201 a fresh roll (not shown) which occupies theposition shown as being occupied by the roll 18. The leading portion ofthe web on such fresh roll is placed over the rollers 41 and 42 of FIG.2 and is introduced into the slot 44 to be temporarily attached to theaccelerating wheel 43 by the clamping device 47 subsequent to removalfrom the wheel 43 of the separated portion of running web 18. Theoperator also closes the switch 128 for a short interval of time so asto transmit an erasing signal to the left-hand input of the flip-flop127 whereby the signal at the output of the flip-flop disappears and therelay 123 is deenergized to close its switch 123a. This prepares thecontrol circuit for a fresh splicing operation because thephotosensitive element of the detector 19 is then connected with theamplifier 124 and can energize the electromagnet 61 as soon as itreceives light from the light source of the detector 19, i.e., as soonas the supply of running web 18 on the expiring roll 17 is depleted tothe extent which warrants the start of a fresh splicing operation.

An important advantage of the splicing apparatus 16 is that its controlcircuit invariably insures the expulsion of those products (plaincigarettes 27) whose wrappers embody portions of the splices, i.e.,portions of the uniting bands 62 and the adjacent portions of therespective webs. The reliability of the ejecting action is not affectedby the speed of the expiring and fresh webs prior, during and subsequentto splicing because the angular position of the lobe 108b relative tothe lobe 108C can be readily selected in such a way that the valve 131opens at the exact moment when a splice (whose making is initiated bythe lobe 108C) reaches the trough 31 so that the respective cigarette orcigarettes 27 are in the range of the nozzle 32. The length of theinterval during which the nozzle 32 receives compressed gas can bereadily selected in such a way that the ejecting device expels a minimalnumber of cigarettes 27 without, however, risking that a defectivecigarette would reach the transfer conveyor 29 and the next-followingprocessing station. The length of the interval during which the valve131 remains open depends on the length of the lobe 108b (as consideredin the circumferential direction of the disk 1071)) and on the ratio ofthe transmission 103 which drives the programming drum 107.

The control circuit of FIG. 4 insures that the travel of the splicebetween the webs 11 and 18 from the splicing station S1 (rollers 42, 78)to the ejecting sta tion S2 (trough 31) is reproduced by the selectedangular position of the lobe 108b relative to the lobe 1080 so that theejection of products which are defective due to the formation of asplice invariably takes place at the most opportune moment, namely, whenthe defective article or articles are in the range of the stream ofcompressed gas issuing from the nozzle 32.

The provision of drive means 51 which derives motion from the advancingrolls 39 by way of the expiring web 11 and serves to accelerate thefresh web 18 as well as to drive the programming drum 107 constitutes avery simple and effective solution of the problem of insuring that thesignal for activation of the ejecting device is delayed as a function ofthe speed at which the splice and therefore the defective articles orarticle travel or travels to the ejecting station. It will be noted thateventual slippage of input member or roller 52 relative to the expiringweb 11 during acceleration of the fresh web 18 does not adverselyinfluence the accuracy of the ejecting operation because such ejectingoperation is started in dependency on the angular positions of lobes108b, 1080 relative to each other, i.e., the ejecting operation cannotbe influenced by the rate at which the web 18 is being accelerated priorto splicing. This, in turn, renders it possible to select the rate ofacceleration of the fresh web 18 with a view to invariably prevent theweb from tearing prior to energization of the electromagnet 91, i.e.,prior to start of the actual splicing operation. All that can happen ifthe rate of acceleration of the web 18 is very low is that theprogramming drum 107 is rotated at a low speed but the angular positionsof the lobes 108b, 1080 relative to each other remain unchanged. Theposition of the detector 19 relative to the axis of the expiring roll 12can be readily selected in such a way that this detector furnishes asignal which initiates an acceleration of the fresh web 18 in good timebefore the supply of running web on the expiring roll 12 is exhausted tothus insure that the web 11 is still running even if the acceleration ofthe fresh web 18 takes up a relatively long interval of time.

An advantage of the drive means 51 is that it can effect an accelerationof the fresh web at any selected rate to thus avoid tearing of the webjust prior to splicing. In addition, the drive means 51 is much simplerand more reliable than presently known devices which are used totransmit motion to web accelerating units. Still further, the drivemeans 51 occupies little room and need not be provided with a discreteprime mover so that a splicing apparatus embodying such drive means canbe installed in existing cigarette rod making or analogous machineswhich are not provided with a power take-off in the region where thesplicing apparatus is to be installed.

The improved apparatus is susceptible of many additional modifications.For example, the signal generating means including the programming drum107 and the switches 109a-109c can be replaced with a signal recordingand transmitting system which utilizes magnetic tape or a film havingencoded information which is detectable by photoelectric means.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge,readily adapt it for various applications without omitting featureswhich fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic andspecific aspects of our contribution to the art and, therefore, suchadaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within themeaning and range of equivalence of the claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is:

We claim:

1. In a cigarette rod making or analogous machine wherein a running webof cigarette paper or the like which is being withdrawn from an expiringroll is transported lengthwise along a predetermined path extendingtoward, through and beyond spaced-apart first and second stations and isconverted into wrappers of discrete rod-shaped articles not later thanat said second station, and wherein the leading end of a fresh web whichis stored in the form of a fresh roll is maintained in readiness at saidfirst station, a combination comprising means for advancing the runningweb along said path and a splicing apparatus, said splicing apparatusincluding means for accelerating the leading end of the fresh web andsignal generating means having a first portion, drive means fortransmitting motion to said first portion from said advancing means inresponse to acceleration of the leading end of the fresh web and asecond portion for furnishing a plurality of signals in response tomovement of said first portion, said signals including a first signaland said splicing apparatus further comprising means for unitingportions of the running web and the accelerated fresh web in response tosaid first signal so that said portions of the running and fresh websform at said first station a splice which is thereupon transportedalong, said path at the speed of the running web, said splicingapparatus also comprising means for severing the running web betweensaid splice and the expiring roll in response to one of said pluralityof signals to thereby separate the splice from the expiring roll, saidsevering means being adjacent to said path.

'2. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising means formonitoring the supply of running web on said expiring roll and includingmeans for generating a signal in response to depletion of the supply ofrunning web on said expiring roll to a predetermined minimum value, saidaccelerating means comprising means for setting the leading end of thefresh web in motion in response to said last mentioned signal.

3. Acombination as defined in claim 1, wherein said signals include asecond signal which is generated when at least one rod-shaped articlewhose wrapper embodies said splice travels through said second station,and further comprising means for efecting from said path articles whosewrappers embody said splice in response to said second signal so thatthe ejecting of such articles takes place at said second station.

4. A combination as defined in claim 3, wherein said second portion ofsaid signal generating means comprises a plurality of discrete signalgenerating elements, one for each of said plurality of signals and saidfirst portion of said signal generating means comprises mobile means foractuating said discrete signal generating elements in a predeterminedsequence and in synchronism with the speed of transport of the runningweb along said path.

5. A combination as defined in claim 4, wherein said accelerating meansderives motion from said advancing means.

6. In a cigarette rod making or analogous machine wherein a running webof cigarette paper or the like which is being withdrawn from an expiringroll is transported lengthwise along a predetermined path extendingtoward, through and beyond spacedapart first and second stations and isconverted into wrappers of discrete rod-shaped articles not later thanat said second station and wherein the leading end of a fresh web whichis stored in the form of a fresh roll is maintained in readiness at saidfirst station, a combination comprising means for advancing the runningweb along said path anda splicing apparatus, said splicing apparatusincluding means for accelerating the leading end of the fresh web andsignal generating means having a rotatable first portion, drive meansfor transmitting rotary motion to said first portion from said advancingmeans in response to acceleration of the leading end of the fresh weband a second portion for furnishing a plurality of signals in responseto rotation of said first portion, said signals including a first signalwhich is produced by said second portion in a first predeterminedangular position of said first portion, said splicing apparatus furthercomprising means for uniting portions of the running web and theaccelerated fresh web in response to said first signal so that saidportions of the running and fresh webs form at said first station asplice which is thereupon transported along said path at the speed ofthe running web and said splicing apparatus also comprising means forarresting said first portion of said signal generating means in a secondpredetermined angul ar position so that repreated rotation of said firstportion of said signal generating means from said second predeterminedangular position to said first predetermined angular positionnecessitates rotation of said first portion through angles ofsubstantially identical magnitude.

7. A combination as defined in claim 16, further comprising means foractuating said arresting means in response to a second signal of saidplurality of signals.

8. in a cigarette rod making or analogous machine wherein a running webof cigarette paper or the like which is being withdrawn from an expiringroll is transported lengthwise along a predetermined path extendingtoward, through and beyond spacedapart first and second stations and isconverted into wrappers of discrete rod-shaped articles not later thanat said second station, and wherein the leading end of a fresh web whichis stored in the form of a fresh roll is maintained in readiness at saidfirst station, a combination comprising means for advancing the runningweb along said path and a splicing apparatus, said splicing apparatusincluding means for accelerating the leading end of the fresh web, saidaccelerating means comprising a drive having a rotary input memberreceiving motion due to frictional engagement with the running web andmeans for setting the leading portion of the fresh web in motion inresponse to rotation of said input member, said splicing apparatusfurther comprising signal generating means having a first portion, drivemeans for transmitting motion to said first portion from said advancingmeans in response to acceleration of the leading end of the fresh weband a second portion for furnishing a plurality of signals in responseto movement of said first portion, said signals including a first signaland said splicing apparatus also comprising means for uniting portionsof the running web and the accelerated fresh web in response to saidfirst signal so that said portions of the running and fresh webs form atsaid first station a splice which is thereupon transported along saidpath at the speed of the running web.

9. A combination as defined in claim 8, wherein said drive furthercomprises means for moving the running web into frictional engagementwith said rotary input member.

10. A combination as defined in claim 9, wherein said means for movingthe running web into frictional engagement with said input membercomprises a roller and means for moving said roller transversely of thepath of said running web.

11. In a cigarette rod making or analogous machine wherein a running webof cigarette paper or the like which is being withdrawn from an expiringroll is transported lengthwise along a predetermined path extendingtoward, through and beyond spaced-apart first and second stations and isconverted into wrappers of discrete rod-shaped articles not later thanat said second station, and wherein the leading end of a fresh web whichis stored in the form of a fresh roll is maintained in readiness at saidfirst station, a combination comprising means for advancing the runningweb along said path and a splicing apparatus, said splicing apparatusincluding means for accelerating the leading end of the fresh web andsignal generating means including a first portion having a rotaryprogramming device with a plurality of actuating elements, drive meansfor transmitting rotatary motion to said programming device from saidadvancing means in response to acceleration of the leading end of thefresh web, and a second portion for furnishing a plurality of signals inresponse to rotation of said programming device, said second portionincluding a plurality of discrete signal generating elements eachactuatable by one of said actuating elements in predetermined angularpositions of said programming device, said signals including a firstsignal and said splicing apparatus further comprising means for unitingportions of the running web and the accelerated fresh web in response tosaid first signal so that said portions of the running and fresh websform at said first station a splice which is thereupon transported alongsaid path at the speed of the running web.

1. In a cigarette rod making or analogous machine wherein a running webof cigarette paper or the like which is being withdrawn from an expiringroll is transported lengthwise along a predetermined path extendingtoward, through and beyond spacedapart first and second stations and isconverted into wrappers of discrete rod-shaped articles not later thanat said second station, and wherein the leading end of a fresh web whichis stored in the form of a fresh roll is maintained in readiness at saidfirst station, a combination comprising means for advancing the runningweb along said path and a splicing apparatus, said splicing apparatusincluding means for accelerating the leading end of the fresh web andsignal generating means having a first portion, drive means fortransmitting motion to said first portion from said advancing means inresponse to acceleration of the leading end of the fresh web and asecond portion for furnishing a plurality of signals in response tomovement of said first portion, said signals including a first signaland said splicing apparatus further comprising means for unitingportions of the running web and the accelerated fresh web in response tosaid first signal so that said portions of the running and fresh websform at said first station a splice which is thereupon transported alongsaid path at the speed of the running web, said splicing apparatus alsocomprising means for severing the running web between said splice andthe expiring roll in response to one of said plurality of signals tothereby separate the splice from the expiring roll, said severing meansbeing adjacent to said path.
 2. A combination as defined in claim 1,further comprising means for monitoring the supply of running web onsaid expiring roll and including means for generating a signal inresponse to depletion of the supply of running web on said expiring rollto a predetermined minimum value, said accelerating means comprisingmeans for setting the leading end of the fresh web in motion in responseto said last mentioned signal.
 3. A combination as defined in claim 1,wherein said signals include a second signal which is generated when atleast one rod-shaped article whose wrapper embodies said splice travelsthrough said second station, and further comprising means for efectingfrom said path articles whose wrappers embody said splice in response tosaid second signal so that the ejecting of such articles takes place atsaid second station.
 4. A comBination as defined in claim 3, whereinsaid second portion of said signal generating means comprises aplurality of discrete signal generating elements, one for each of saidplurality of signals and said first portion of said signal generatingmeans comprises mobile means for actuating said discrete signalgenerating elements in a predetermined sequence and in synchronism withthe speed of transport of the running web along said path.
 5. Acombination as defined in claim 4, wherein said accelerating meansderives motion from said advancing means.
 6. In a cigarette rod makingor analogous machine wherein a running web of cigarette paper or thelike which is being withdrawn from an expiring roll is transportedlengthwise along a predetermined path extending toward, through andbeyond spacedapart first and second stations and is converted intowrappers of discrete rod-shaped articles not later than at said secondstation and wherein the leading end of a fresh web which is stored inthe form of a fresh roll is maintained in readiness at said firststation, a combination comprising means for advancing the running webalong said path and a splicing apparatus, said splicing apparatusincluding means for accelerating the leading end of the fresh web andsignal generating means having a rotatable first portion, drive meansfor transmitting rotary motion to said first portion from said advancingmeans in response to acceleration of the leading end of the fresh weband a second portion for furnishing a plurality of signals in responseto rotation of said first portion, said signals including a first signalwhich is produced by said second portion in a first predeterminedangular position of said first portion, said splicing apparatus furthercomprising means for uniting portions of the running web and theaccelerated fresh web in response to said first signal so that saidportions of the running and fresh webs form at said first station asplice which is thereupon transported along said path at the speed ofthe running web and said splicing apparatus also comprising means forarresting said first portion of said signal generating means in a secondpredetermined angular position so that repreated rotation of said firstportion of said signal generating means from said second predeterminedangular position to said first predetermined angular positionnecessitates rotation of said first portion through angles ofsubstantially identical magnitude.
 7. A combination as defined in claim16, further comprising means for actuating said arresting means inresponse to a second signal of said plurality of signals.
 8. In acigarette rod making or analogous machine wherein a running web ofcigarette paper or the like which is being withdrawn from an expiringroll is transported lengthwise along a predetermined path extendingtoward, through and beyond spacedapart first and second stations and isconverted into wrappers of discrete rod-shaped articles not later thanat said second station, and wherein the leading end of a fresh web whichis stored in the form of a fresh roll is maintained in readiness at saidfirst station, a combination comprising means for advancing the runningweb along said path and a splicing apparatus, said splicing apparatusincluding means for accelerating the leading end of the fresh web, saidaccelerating means comprising a drive having a rotary input memberreceiving motion due to frictional engagement with the running web andmeans for setting the leading portion of the fresh web in motion inresponse to rotation of said input member, said splicing apparatusfurther comprising signal generating means having a first portion, drivemeans for transmitting motion to said first portion from said advancingmeans in response to acceleration of the leading end of the fresh weband a second portion for furnishing a plurality of signals in responseto movement of said first portion, said signals including a first signaland said splicing apparatus also comprisinG means for uniting portionsof the running web and the accelerated fresh web in response to saidfirst signal so that said portions of the running and fresh webs form atsaid first station a splice which is thereupon transported along saidpath at the speed of the running web.
 9. A combination as defined inclaim 8, wherein said drive further comprises means for moving therunning web into frictional engagement with said rotary input member.10. A combination as defined in claim 9, wherein said means for movingthe running web into frictional engagement with said input membercomprises a roller and means for moving said roller transversely of thepath of said running web.
 11. In a cigarette rod making or analogousmachine wherein a running web of cigarette paper or the like which isbeing withdrawn from an expiring roll is transported lengthwise along apredetermined path extending toward, through and beyond spaced-apartfirst and second stations and is converted into wrappers of discreterod-shaped articles not later than at said second station, and whereinthe leading end of a fresh web which is stored in the form of a freshroll is maintained in readiness at said first station, a combinationcomprising means for advancing the running web along said path and asplicing apparatus, said splicing apparatus including means foraccelerating the leading end of the fresh web and signal generatingmeans including a first portion having a rotary programming device witha plurality of actuating elements, drive means for transmitting rotatarymotion to said programming device from said advancing means in responseto acceleration of the leading end of the fresh web, and a secondportion for furnishing a plurality of signals in response to rotation ofsaid programming device, said second portion including a plurality ofdiscrete signal generating elements each actuatable by one of saidactuating elements in predetermined angular positions of saidprogramming device, said signals including a first signal and saidsplicing apparatus further comprising means for uniting portions of therunning web and the accelerated fresh web in response to said firstsignal so that said portions of the running and fresh webs form at saidfirst station a splice which is thereupon transported along said path atthe speed of the running web.